“new” QF B737-800s

[markis10]

I've seen it reported in different places as a lease and purchase, so who knows.

Lease conpanies are required to be on the registration XZQ has Qantas as owner and operator

 

[evanb]

Lease conpanies are required to be on the registration XZQ has Qantas as owner and operator

Conceptually, although initial registrations for ferry flights don't typically include this and are updated later. The web version rarely includes later updates unfortunately (just go and look at the details for QF's A330s!!!) For example, X3P which has come over from Jetstar Asia is leased from Itochu and is not showing on CASA as leased.

 

[moa999]

Second 'new' 737 now in Australia

Recently registered VH-XZR (ex 9V-MGL), former SQ 737 flew into ASP on Tue 7 Oct.
9V-MGM also seems to have been withdrawn from SQ service with MGN the only 737NG still operating for SQ.

Like XZQ, online CASA registration shows QAL, noting evanb's comments however.

 

[moa999]

Final flight for the fourth aircraft 9V-MGN this weekend.

Singapore Airlines' End Of Era - Dj's Aviation

Singapore Airlines will retire its Boeing 737-800 in a move that'll see it solely rely on the 737 MAX moving forward for single-aisle operations.

djsaviation.net

No movement on the other aircraft - VH-XZQ in BNE, XZR in ASP and 9V-MGM in KUL

 

[moa999]

A small nugget on airliners.net

From ASOSpotter

QANTAS's newest 737 XZQ won't be ready for service until February next year.

 

[sevenfourtyseven]

A small nugget on airliners.net

From ASOSpotter

Seems to line up with this morning's announcement and commencement in February next year for certain 737s.

 

[moa999]

Possibly, though it had previously been suggested they would fly in the ex-SQ config for some time

 

[Kingo42]

The ex SQ config has less Y rows right? If so could they adjust the spacing to implement the new Y+ layout on these 4 "new" B738s

 

[moa999]

The Exec Traveller article seems to suggest that the four ex-SQ aircraft will be converted first, with the remainder to follow on a slightly accelerated timetable. (From late 2026).

So presumably QF managed to negotiate early delivery of new seats and other fittings for a handful of aircraft.

Qantas noting it will “begin reconfiguration of its 737 aircraft in December.”
Those will be four Boeing 737s which Qantas is leasing to provide a “bridging capacity” against delays in A321XLR deliveries.

Each of these leased 737s will be fitted with the same seats and interiors as planned for Qantas’ own 737s from late 2026, with this reconfig also delivering 48 Extra Legroom seats.

Also of note the use of the word "leasing" in respect of the SQ aircraft
9V-MGN has operated a few more SIN-TGG flights past it's supposed retirement but quiet since Monday
MGM still in KUL

And VH-XZQ and XZR remain in BNE and ASP respectively

 

[moa999]

9V-MGM flew to SIN under SQ flight number, presumably now all white

9V-MGN flew to KUL on 9-Nov.

 

[Melburnian1]

This strategy of purchasing 10 or 11 year old aircraft seems amiss.

It isn't big enough to substantially reduce the median age of either the B738s or the QFi/QFd fleet as a whole.

The delays in bringing these ex-SilkAir aircraft into revenue QFd service may be emblematic of a less than optimal plan.

I appreciate Airbus and Boeing have huge backlogs and are finding it impossible to meet the timelines promised or what airlines want. One only has to look at the lengthy wait SQ has for replacements for its ageing B773ERs to discern that. Other airlines have numerous similar examples.

But this minor move by QF won't enhance the passenger experience.

And why, as @TheInsider claims, initially restrict these aircraft to intrastate Queensland flights? This reduces flexibility in the case of delays and cancellations.

 

[moa999]

It doesn't move the needle much, but it does provide cover for 321XLR delays, and I suspect some forced retirement based on the next big check of 332s and possibly 737s.

Think the Qld only plan was due to the fact these aircraft were to be kept in the 12J 150Y config until they could go into reconfiguration with new sears, which obviously would be more problematic with 12 Y less seats.

From the latest announcements it seems QF might have gotten early stock of some new seats and these aircraft will be reconfigured first from next month
(Possibly as 16J 150Y as speculated in the Economy Plus thread)

 

[evanb]

This strategy of purchasing 10 or 11 year old aircraft seems amiss.

It isn't big enough to substantially reduce the median age of either the B738s or the QFi/QFd fleet as a whole.

The delays in bringing these ex-SilkAir aircraft into revenue QFd service may be emblematic of a less than optimal plan.

I appreciate Airbus and Boeing have huge backlogs and are finding it impossible to meet the timelines promised or what airlines want. One only has to look at the lengthy wait SQ has for replacements for its ageing B773ERs to discern that. Other airlines have numerous similar examples.

But this minor move by QF won't enhance the passenger experience.

And why, as @TheInsider claims, initially restrict these aircraft to intrastate Queensland flights? This reduces flexibility in the case of delays and cancellations.

I'm not sure I agree. The goal isn't to reduce the median age, but rather to provide redundancy capacity in the face of OEM delays. What's the alternative?

They would've had to postpone the retirements of a handful of the older B737-800s, instead sending them for 4th D-checks. These would've cost A$2-3 million each at the very least, requiring Qantas to operate them for another 4 to 6 years to be able to effectively amortise the costs (so raising median age). This is assuming they don't need any major component overhauls, which they likely do since QF hadn't originally planned to keep flying them.

Furthermore, these checks also take quite a while and since they hadn't originally been planned they likely would've resulted in the aircraft being grounded waiting for a spot somewhere as lead time for heavy checks isn't short (compounded by still sluggish parts supply chains). At the moment, airlines are blocking spots up to 6 months ahead for heavy maintenance in some cases, nevermind a 4th D-check which requires significantly more planning for. The alternative to that would be to cut capacity.

They've brought in the ex-SilkAir aircraft well in advance of when that capacity is definitely needed, so they have some intermediate slack. In addition, the 3rd XLR will arrive at the end of the month, meaning they're already net positive. The worry isn't a shortage now, but from next year once the oldest B737-800s hit their 4th D-check limit since several of them will hit this in a short space of time. That's when the SilkAir aircraft are needed to make their impact, not now.

This all goes back to the very concentrated deliveries of them in the first place. They received the first 14 B737-800s in just 7 month back in 2002. Assuming more or less equal use and variances over the years, 14 will hit their deadlines within a 7 month period starting next year, and that's when those SilkAir aircraft will be needed.

 

[Saab34]

Are they intending to send the old NGs to a 4th D check? Or is that it, off to the scrap yard?

 

[evanb]

Are they intending to send the old NGs to a 4th D check? Or is that it, off to the scrap yard?

They're definitely not getting a 4th D. Suspect some might get scrapped as the parts will be incredibly useful to keep the younger birds flying.

 

[Melburnian1]

The alternative to that would be to cut capacity.

QF has already announced that due to demand for domestic business travel being soft, it will be reducing flights on some routes. I assume this largely if not totally relates to the Golden Triangle where frequencies are highest.

That at least partly contradicts your points, as business fliers typically pay more per trip than leisure travellers and hence it can make sense to 'consolidate' loadings on fewer flights if demand from the more lucrative sector is poor, or has decreased.

It's further confirmation that the Victorian economy is in recession, although State level economic data is difficult to access.